Co-Cola

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "Co-Cola" is a regional pronunciation of Coca-Cola. The middle syllable drops out, turning "Coke-uh-Cola" into "Co-Cola."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #FoodandDrink #Southern

synonyms: Coke, soft drink, pop (outside the South)

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I have heard and said 'Co-Cola' all my life. It's common. But we were a Pepsi dope family growin' up.

Pronunciation

[COE-cola] /ˈkoʊˌkoʊ.lə/

Meaning & Usage

- Regional pronunciation of Coca-Cola (noun)

Hazel:

You want somethin’ to drink?

Earl:

Yeah, grab me a Co-Cola.

variations: Coca-Cola (standard spelling)

★ In many parts of the South, folks still say "Coke" when they mean any soft drink - but "Co-Cola" was the old-time way of ordering the real thing. ★

Origin

This pronunciation comes from natural Southern speech patterns that simplify unstressed syllables. Documented in the early-to-mid 20th century, especially in the Deep South and Appalachia, "Co-Cola" became a cultural marker of Southern talk.

Notes

Common in the South from the 1930s through the 1970s, especially among older generations.
Still remembered today, sometimes used playfully to evoke old-time Southern speech.
Distinct from "Coke," which became the generic Southern word for any soft drink ("What kind of Coke you want? A Sprite?").

Kin Topics

Kin Words, Stories and More

Common Questions

What does "Co-Cola" mean?

It’s the Southern/Appalachian way of saying Coca-Cola, dropping the middle syllable.

Is "Co-Cola" authentic Southern speech?

Yes. It’s a long-standing regional pronunciation, especially in the Deep South and Appalachia.

Do people still say "Co-Cola" today?

Rarely. It’s mostly remembered by older generations, though sometimes said in jest.

Is "Co-Cola" different from "Coke"?

"Co-Cola" was the old-fashioned way of asking for a Coca-Cola. "Coke" became the more common word and even grew into a generic Southern term for all soft drinks.